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Abstract:

An automatic cleaner includes a casing including a suction port, a
suction device disposed in the casing to suction a foreign substance
through the suction port, a moving device that moves the casing, and a
side brush assembly movably installed on the casing. The side brush
assembly includes a brush housing rotatable about a first rotation shaft,
and a brush rotatably mounted on the brush housing by a second rotation
shaft. The second rotation shaft is moved according to a rotation of the
brush housing.

Claims:

1. An automatic cleaner comprising: a casing comprising a suction port; a
suction device disposed in the casing to suction a foreign substance
through the suction port; a moving device that moves the casing; and a
side brush assembly movably installed on the casing, wherein the side
brush assembly comprises a brush housing rotatable about a first rotation
shaft, and a brush rotatably mounted on the brush housing by a second
rotation shaft, and the second rotation shaft is moved according to a
rotation of the brush housing.

2. The automatic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a driving member
for rotating the brush housing and the brush.

3. The automatic cleaner of claim 2, further comprising: a first driving
force transmission member that transmits driving force from the driving
member to the brush; and a second driving force transmission member that
transmits driving force from the driving member to the brush housing.

4. The automatic cleaner of claim 3, wherein the driving force is torque
and wherein the driving member is the brush member.

5. The automatic cleaner of claim 3, wherein the first driving force
transmission member comprises a plurality of gears.

6. The automatic cleaner of claim 3, wherein the second driving force
transmission member is connected to the second rotation shaft.

7. The automatic cleaner of claim 3, wherein the second driving force
transmission member comprises at least one gear and a cam mechanism
connected to the at least one gear.

8. The automatic cleaner of claim 7, wherein the cam mechanism comprises
a rotation cam and a link member connected to the rotation cam, and an
end of the link member is rotatably coupled to the casing.

9. The automatic cleaner of claim 7, wherein the link member comprises a
first link member, a second link member, and an elastic member that
provides elastic force to the first or second link member.

10. The automatic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a rotation range
delimitation member for rotating the brush housing within a predetermined
angle range.

11. The automatic cleaner of claim 10, wherein the rotation range
delimitation member comprises a rotation cam provided on the brush
housing, and a link member connected to the rotation cam, and an end of
the link member is connected to the casing.

12. The automatic cleaner of claim 11, further comprising an elastic
member elastically supporting the link member.

13. The automatic cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a buffer member
that absorbs shock applied to the brush housing.

14. The automatic cleaner of claim 13, wherein the buffer member
comprises: a link member provided on the brush housing; and an elastic
member that provides elastic force to the link member.

15. The automatic cleaner of claim 14, wherein the link member comprises
a first link member connected to the brush housing, and a second link
member connected to the casing, and the elastic member provides elastic
force to the second link member.

16. The automatic cleaner of claim 1, wherein a vertical overlap area
between the brush housing and the casing is varied according to a
rotation of the brush housing.

[0003] Cleaners may suction and remove a foreign substance from a cleaning
surface. Recently, automatic cleaners for performing an automatic
cleaning operation have been introduced. Automatic cleaners are moved by
the driving force of a motor powered by a battery to suction and remove a
foreign substance from a floor.

[0004] In general, a moving device is installed on a casing which defines
the appearance of an automatic cleaner. The moving device moves the
automatic cleaner in a predetermined direction to suction a foreign
substance from a floor. To this end, a suction port is disposed in the
bottom of the casing to suction a foreign substance from a floor. A main
brush, which directly contacts a foreign substance to suction the foreign
substance through the suction port, may be disposed on the suction port.

[0005] However, the automatic cleaner suctions only a foreign substance
located in a region under the casing, specifically, under the suction
port. Thus, it may be difficult to effectively clean a region outside the
footprint of the suction port.

[0006] To address this issue, a side brush may be disposed on the bottom
of the casing. At any one time, at least one portion of the side brush
extends outside the footprint of the casing.

[0007] The side brush rotates relative to the casing to move a foreign
substance located outside the footprint of the casing, specifically,
outside the footprint of the suction port, toward the suction port.

[0008] However, such automatic cleaners have the following limitations.

[0009] As described above, since a foreign substance located outside the
footprint of the suction port can be suctioned through the suction port
by means of rotation of the side brush, as the length of the side brush
is increased, a cleaning area of the automatic cleaner is substantially
increased. However, when the length of the side brush is increased, the
side brush may be damaged while the automatic cleaner is in a cleaning
operation or is stored. In addition, when the length of the side brush is
increased, the automatic cleaner requires a large storage space. Thus, it
may be inconvenient to store the automatic cleaner.

SUMMARY

[0010] In one embodiment, an automatic cleaner includes: a casing
including a suction port; a suction device disposed in the casing to
suction a foreign substance through the suction port; a moving device
that moves the casing; and a side brush assembly movably installed on the
casing, wherein the side brush assembly includes a brush housing
rotatable about a first rotation shaft, and a brush rotatably mounted on
the brush housing by a second rotation shaft, and the second rotation
shaft is moved according to a rotation of the brush housing.

[0011] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a bottom view illustrating an automatic cleaner according
to a first embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a side brush assembly according
to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating the side brush
assembly according to the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an operation of the side brush
assembly according to the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a side brush assembly
according to a second embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an operation of the side brush
assembly according to the second embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a bottom view illustrating an automatic cleaner according
to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.

[0020] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,
and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments
are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to
practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may
be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and
chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope
of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled
in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain
information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed
description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a bottom view illustrating an automatic cleaner according
to a first embodiment.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an automatic cleaner 100 according to one
embodiment includes a casing 110 that defines the appearance of automatic
cleaner 100. Casing 110 may have a flat polyhedral shape, but is not
limited thereto. Casing 110 may accommodate various components
constituting automatic cleaner 100. For example, a suction device (not
shown) for suctioning a foreign substance, and a collecting device (not
shown) for collecting the suctioned foreign substance may be disposed in
casing 110.

[0023] A suction port 111 is disposed in a bottom portion of casing 110.
Suction port 111 functions as an inlet through which a foreign substance
is suctioned into casing 110, particularly, into the collecting device by
the suction device. Suction port 111 may be formed by partially cutting
the bottom portion of casing 110.

[0024] Seating recesses 113 are disposed in the bottom portion of casing
110. Seating recesses 113 are formed by upwardly recessing a portion of
the bottom of casing 110. Although two seating recesses 113 are shown in
FIG. 1 being disposed at both sides of suction port 111, the number of
seating recesses 113 are not limited thereto.

[0025] A main brush 120 is disposed inside of casing 110 on an area
corresponding to suction port 111. Main brush 120 passes through suction
port 111 to contact a foreign substance on a cleaning target surface and
remove the foreign substance. Main brush 120 is rotatably installed on
casing 110. A main driving member (not shown) provides driving force for
rotating main brush 120.

[0026] Casing 110 is provided with a moving device 140 for moving casing
110. Moving device 140 may include a driving motor (not shown) disposed
in casing 110, and wheels rotated by the driving motor.

[0027] One or more side brush assemblies 200 are installed on the bottom
of casing 110. In at least one embodiment, side brush assembly 200 is
provided in plurality on casing 110.

[0028] Side brush assemblies 200 are movably installed on casing 110. For
example, side brush assemblies 200 may be rotated to be selectively
located at a lower side or outside of casing 110.

[0029] Side brush assemblies 200 are configured such that the suction
device suctions, through suction port 111, a foreign substance located
outside the footprint of suction port 111.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a side brush assembly according
to the first embodiment. FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating
the side brush assembly according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, side brush assembly 200 may include a
brush housing 210, a bracket 220, a brush 230, a driving member 240, and
driving force transmission members 250 and 260.

[0032] In particular, brush housing 210 may have a hollow polyhedral shape
having a cross section corresponding to seating recess 113. Brush housing
210 may be rotatable about a housing rotation shaft 211 (a first rotation
shaft), relative to casing 110. Housing rotation shaft 211 vertically
extends from a bottom surface of casing 110. Brush housing 210 may be
reciprocated along a preset trace about housing rotation shaft 211,
relative to casing 110, so that brush housing 210 can be located inside
or outside of seating recess 113. Housing rotation shaft 211 is
substantially passed through bracket 220 and is rotatably supported by a
side portion of casing 110.

[0033] Bracket 220 is disposed in brush housing 210. Brush 230, driving
member 240, and driving force transmission members 250 and 260 are
rotatably supported by bracket 220, or are fixed thereto.

[0034] Brush 230 is rotatably installed on a bottom surface of brush
housing 210. Brush 230 moves a foreign substance located outside the
footprint of suction port 111 to the lower side of suction port 111.
Brush 230 includes: a brush holder 231 rotatably installed on bracket
220; and a plurality of bristles 233 fixed to brush holder 231. Brush
holder 231 is substantially coupled to the lower end of a brush rotation
shaft 232 (a second rotation shaft) fixed to bracket 220 and passed
through the bottom of brush housing 210. In one embodiment, the number of
bristles 233 may be three, which are fixed to brush holder 231 and are
spaced apart from one another by a preset central angle, e.g., about
120°. However, the number of bristles 233 is not specifically
limited.

[0035] Driving member 240 provides driving force for rotating brush
housing 210 relative to casing 110, and rotating brush 230 relative to
brush housing 210. In other words, brush housing 210 and brush 230 may be
rotated using the driving force from driving member 240. Driving member
240 is fixed to the top surface of bracket 220. That is, driving member
240 is provided on brush housing 210 and is moved together with brush
housing 210. Driving member 240 includes a driving shaft 241 rotating to
transmit the driving force. When driving member 240 is fixed to the top
surface of bracket 220, driving shaft 241 passes through bracket 220 and
extends downward.

[0036] Driving force transmission members 250 and 260 transmit the driving
force from driving member 240 to brush housing 210 and brush 230.

[0037] Driving force transmission members 250 and 260 include a first
driving force transmission member 250 and a second driving force
transmission member 260. First driving force transmission member 250
transmits the driving force from driving member 240, particularly, torque
from driving shaft 241 to brush 230. Second driving force transmission
member 260 transmits the driving force from driving member 240 to brush
housing 210. Second driving force transmission member 260 interacts with
rotation of brush 230 to rotate brush housing 210 relative to casing 110.
In other words, first driving force transmission member 250 transmits the
driving force from driving member 240 to brush 230, and second driving
force transmission member 260 transmits torque from brush 230 to brush
housing 210.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, first driving force transmission member 250
may include a driving gear 251 and a plurality of driven gears. The
driven gears may include first to fourth driven gears 252, 253, 254, and
255. Driving gear 251 is fixed to driving shaft 241. The first to third
driven gears 252, 253, and 254 are rotatably installed on the bottom
surface of bracket 220. The fourth driven gear 255 is coupled to brush
rotation shaft 232. The fourth driven gear 255 is coupled to a side
portion of brush rotation shaft 232 between bracket 220 and brush holder
231. The first driven gear 252 engages with driving gear 251. The second
driven gear 253 engages with the first driven gear 252. The second driven
gear 253 includes first and second gear parts 253A and 253B that are
integrally rotated. The first gear part 253A of the second driven gear
253 is coupled to the first driven gear 252. The third driven gear 254 is
coupled to the second gear part 253B of the second driven gear 253. Thus,
when driving member 240 is driven, driving force from driving shaft 241
is transmitted to brush rotation shaft 232 through driving gear 251 and
the first to fourth driven gears 252, 253, 254, and 255. Gear ratios
between driving gear 251 and the first to fourth driven gears 252, 253,
254, and 255 may be appropriately set according to a rotational speed of
driving member 240 and a rotational speed of brush 230. Thus, if
necessary, the first to third driven gears 252, 253, and 254 may be
substantially removed.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, second driving force transmission member 260
may include fifth and sixth driven gears 261 and 262 and a cam mechanism
263. The fifth driven gear 261 is coupled to the upper end of brush
rotation shaft 232 over bracket 220. The sixth driven gear 262 is
rotatably installed on the top surface of bracket 220. The sixth driven
gear 262 includes first and second gear parts 262A and 262B that are
integrally rotated. The first gear part 262A of the sixth driven gear 262
engages with the fifth driven gear 261. Cam mechanism 263 provides a
preset trace along which brush housing 210 is reciprocated relative to
casing 110 according to rotation of the sixth driven gear 262.

[0040] Cam mechanism 263 includes a rotation cam 264 and a link member
265. In particular, rotation cam 264 is rotatably installed on the top
surface of bracket 220. Rotation cam 264 includes a gear part 264A. The
gear part 264A engages with the second gear part 262B of the sixth driven
gear 262. In at least one embodiment, the fifth and sixth driven gears
261 and 262 may be removed, and rotation cam 264 may be coupled to the
upper end of brush rotation shaft 232. A first hinge pin P1 is disposed
on a surface of rotation cam 264. The first hinge pin P1 is spaced a
preset distance from a rounded center of rotation cam 264. Thus, when
rotation cam 264 is rotated, first hinge pin P1 rotates to form a preset
trace.

[0041] An end of the link member 265 is hinged to the first hinge pin P1.
The other end of link member 265 is hinged to a second hinge pin P2 fixed
to casing 110. Thus, the link member 265 is moved according to rotation
of rotation cam 264 so as to provide the preset trace along which brush
housing 210 is reciprocated relative to casing 110. As such, since cam
mechanism 263 delimits a rotation range of brush housing 210, cam
mechanism 263 may be referred to as a rotation range delimitation member.

[0042] Side brush assembly 200 may be located in a first position (refer
to FIG. 2) according to a rotation of brush housing 210 relative to
casing 110, or be reciprocated between the first and second positions
(refer to FIG. 5). Side brush assembly 200 is located under casing 110 in
the first position, that is, is accommodated within seating recess 113 in
the first position. In this case, a vertical projection of brush housing
210 is located within a vertical projection of casing 110. In the second
position, at least one portion of side brush assembly 200 is located
outside of casing 110 in the second position. When side brush assembly
200 is located in the second position, a portion of a vertical projection
of brush housing 210 is located outside of a vertical projection of
casing 110, and the rest of the vertical projection of brush housing 210
is located within the vertical projection of casing 110. Alternatively,
when side brush assembly 200 is in the first position, a portion of the
vertical projection of brush 230 may be located outside of the vertical
projection of casing 110.

[0043] According to whether automatic cleaner 100 is in a cleaning
operation, side brush assembly 200 may be located in the first position,
or be reciprocated between the first and second positions. Thus, a
vertical overlap area between brush housing 210 and casing 110 may be
varied according to movements of side brush assembly 200 (or brush
housing 210).

[0044] The cleaning operation may be an operation of the suction device.
That is, when automatic cleaner 100 is not in the cleaning operation,
side brush assembly 200 is in the first position. When the cleaning
operation is started, side brush assembly 200 is rotated in a
reciprocating motion between the first and second positions. That is,
with respect to driving member 240, an operation of driving member 240
for reciprocating side brush assembly 200 between the first position to
the second position may be performed between the start and stop of an
operation of the suction device.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an operation of a side brush
assembly according to the first embodiment.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, when automatic cleaner 100 is not in the
cleaning operation, that is, when automatic cleaner 100 is stored or
charged, side brush assembly 200 is in the first position. Thus, side
brush assembly 200 is located under (or inside of) the casing 110 and is
thus not exposed ousidet of casing 110. A portion of side brush assembly
200 may be protruded outside the footprint of casing 110, but the area of
the protruded portion may be smaller than the portion under casing 110.

[0047] Since side brush assembly 200 is located under the casing 110, a
space for storing automatic cleaner 100 can be decreased. Furthermore,
when brush 230 is located under casing 110, the possibility of damage to
brush 230 can be decreased while automatic cleaner 100 is stored.

[0048] In this state, when the cleaning operation is started, an operation
of the suction device is started to suction a foreign substance through
suction port 111. Additionally, moving device 140 is operated to move
automatic cleaner 100, thereby performing the cleaning operation.

[0049] When the operation of the suction device is started, driving member
240 is operated. Thus, driving force from driving member 240 is
transmitted to brush 230 through driving gear 251 and the first to fourth
driven gears 252, 253, 254, and 255. Accordingly, brush 230 is rotated
about brush rotation shaft 232.

[0050] When brush rotation shaft 232 is rotated, the driving force is
transmitted to cam mechanism 263 through the fifth and sixth driven gears
261 and 262. In particular, when torque from brush 230 is transmitted to
rotation cam 264 through the fifth and sixth driven gears 261 and 262,
rotation cam 264 is rotated to move link member 265, thereby rotating
brush housing 210 about housing rotation shaft 211, relative to casing
110. As a result, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, cam mechanism 263
rotates side brush assembly 200 along a preset trace about housing
rotation shaft 211, relative to casing 110. Accordingly, side brush
assembly 200 is reciprocated between the first and second positions. As
such, while brush housing 210 is reciprocated relative to casing 110,
brush 230 is rotated relative to brush housing 210, thereby guiding a
foreign substance to suction port 111.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a side brush assembly
according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating an
operation of the side brush assembly according to the second embodiment.
Like reference numerals denote like elements in the first and second
embodiments, and a description of the same components as those of the
first embodiment will be omitted in the second embodiment.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 6, a cam mechanism 263 according to at least one
embodiment includes a rotation cam 264, first and second link members 266
and 267, and an elastic member 268. Rotation cam 264 is substantially the
same as that of the first embodiment. The first and second link members
266 and 267 and elastic member 268 may be buffer members for absorbing
shock applied to a brush housing 210.

[0053] An end of the first link member 266 is hinged to a first hinge pin
P1 provided on rotation cam 264. The other end of the first link member
266 and an end of the second link member 267 are hinged to each other
through a connecting pin P3. The other end of the second link member 267
is hinged to a second hinge pin P2 fixed to a casing 110.

[0054] Elastic member 268 provides elastic force to the first or second
link members 266 or 267 to maintain a preset angle between the first and
second link members 266 and 267. For example, elastic member 268 may
provide elastic force to the first and second link members 266 and 267 to
rotate the first link member 266 clockwise, on the basis of FIG. 6, about
connecting pin P3 and rotate the second link member 267 counterclockwise
about connecting pin P3. That is, since elastic member 268 provides
elastic force to the first and second link members 266 and 267, the ends
of the first and second link members 266 and 267, hinged to the
connecting pin P3, operate substantially in the form of a rigid joint.
Thus, according to rotation of rotation cam 264, the first and second
link members 266 and 267 are moved with a preset angle maintained
therebetween, so as to provide a preset trace along which brush housing
210 is reciprocated relative to casing 110.

[0055] Elastic member 268 may be a torsion spring installed on connecting
pin P3 and having both ends supported by the first and second link member
266 and 267, respectively. However, such a torsion spring is just an
example of elastic member 268, and thus, elastic member 268 is not
limited to a torsion spring.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, while brush housing 210 is rotated relative to
casing 110, external force may be applied to brush housing 210. At this
point, the first and second link members 266 and 267 may rotate about
connecting pin P3, overcoming the elastic force of elastic member 268.
Thus, side brush assembly 200, and in particular, driving member 240 is
protected from the external force applied to brush housing 210. When the
external force is removed, the elastic force of elastic member 268 moves
the first and second link members 266 and 267 to a position where the
preset angle is maintained, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a bottom view illustrating an automatic cleaner according
to a third embodiment. Like reference numerals denote like elements in
the first and third embodiments, and a description of the same components
as those of the first embodiment will be omitted in the third embodiment.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 8, a side brush assembly 200 is disposed on a
side of the bottom surface of a casing 110, and a side brush 150 is
disposed on another side thereof. Side brush assembly 200 is
substantially the same as that of the first or second embodiment. Side
brush 150 may be substantially the same as a typical side brush.

[0059] As such, a configuration in which different types of side brushes
are disposed at both sides of a suction port 111 is appropriate for an
automatic cleaner rotating only in one direction. For example, when
casing 110 which is linearly moving in a direction approaches an obstacle
such as a wall, on the basis of FIG. 8 the left side of casing 110 may be
substantially rotated about the right side thereof, that is, may be
rotated clockwise. While casing 110 is rotated, a trace formed by the
left side of casing 110 is adjacent to the obstacle. In this case, since
side brush assembly 200 is disposed on the left side of casing 110, a
foreign substance between casing 110 and the obstacle is efficiently
removed Meanwhile, during the rotation of casing 110, a region
corresponding to a trace formed by the right side of casing 110 overlaps
a region corresponding to a linear movement of casing 110. Thus, even
though side brush 150 as a typical side brush is disposed on the right
side of casing 110, cleaning efficiency is not degraded.

[0060] According to the above embodiment, power from driving member 240 is
transmitted to brush housing 210 through brush 230. However, power from a
driving member may be individually and directly transmitted to a brush
and a brush housing. That is, driving force from a driving member may be
transmitted to a brush through a first driving force transmission member,
and be directly transmitted to a brush housing through a second driving
force transmission member.

[0061] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number
of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that
numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those
skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the
principles of this disclosure. More particularly, variations and
modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of
the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure,
the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to variations and
modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative
uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.